Starter advice

[Squareforceone]

Hey I need opinions on what to do for a starter on my 84. It has a mild 350 in it with headers and it doesn't like to restart after driven for awhile, thinking the headers are heat soaking the starter so I put on a heat shield but it didn't really help so was thinking about going to a mini starter. I was wondering if anyones ran this one with headers? I know it's a stock starter for the newer trucks so I didn't know if it would really help all that much.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Starter-...3b629e&vxp=mtr

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I use the hd factory starter in all my vehicles, and I never had a issue personally.

Also what is your initial timing set at as that can make restarting when hot a issue.

[KQQL IT]

Via rockauto 124$

ACDELCO Part # 3371022


I have this on my square.
Hot rodded SBC with headers.
Starts great hot or cold

[tucsonjwt]

x2 on Delco. I would stay away from aftermarket. My stock 454s always had heat soak. I got it to start with a Delco mini starter. I also added dual start batteries and remote solenoid, which helps a lot when it is hot outside - probably would not be necessary in a northern climate, but in the desert I need it. I still have some delay on the starter when the engine is hot, but it always starts.

There are some forum members who don't believe in "heat soak", so this might start an argument, but I find big blocks have a heat soak problem. I believe that excess heat causes excess resistance in the wiring, resulting in less flow of electrical current.

[blazer2007]

I would check the timing,mine did the same when it started getting hot,I guess the dist took alittle walk

[Squareforceone]

I'll check the initial timing when I get my hands on a normal timing light, I only have a dial back one. The total timing is set at 35 degrees, I'm using the stock distributor off my 84 305. Any idea what the stock advance built into that is? Is it possible I need to upgrade it to run that high of total timing?

[SkinnyG]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

ACDELCO Part # 3371022

+1

I have a fresh 10.9:1 350 running 20° base timing, and despite a remote Ford solenoid, heat shield, new cables, extra ground cable, and a complete freshening of the original starter, the Delco starter above has been flawless.

You will need about three 3/8" washers under the head of the bolts because the starter nose is a bit shorter in height.

[Dead Parrot]

I have a 350 with ceramic coated headers and a cheap aftermarket stock type starter. Never had heat soak issues. Even after a long run in 105 degree weather pulling a boat and running the AC.

I have had issues when the distributor mechanical advance would stick full advance, which meant I had about 27 or so degrees of advance when trying to start it. The 12 base advance + the 15 or so mechanical advance.

Wound up replacing the distributor as the issue wasn't the normal advance weight bushings going bad. It was some issue with the top bearing in the distributor. It was also very intermittent. Might work fine for several weeks then stick.

[Squareforceone]

I don't think it's the timing i still haven't checked it but i just went a head and moved the distributor a bit and took it for a test drive and it still doing the same thing. Shut it off and it turns over very slowly almost like a low battery, let it sit for a while and it will start turning over faster.

[Squareforceone]

anyone?

[Tx Firefighter]

The quick ghetto way to tell if its timing causing your slow crank issue is to get the truck nice and hot so you know its gonna start hard and then yank the power wire off the distributor and crank it. If it spins easy now, it is your timing. If it still cranks hard, it's not the timing.

[Squareforceone]

good idea kevin i'll try it, if it isn't the timing which i'm thinking it isn't what would you suggest starter wise?

[LynnJr]

The big block chevies are notorious for heat soak problems and use the same starter as a small block.

The difference is the solenoid.

The solenoid on a big block starter is shorter and uses the long copper tube around the bolt you get when you buy a solenoid.

Heat shields don't work because the heat soak is coming from the block to starter contact area.

A couple quick things you can do.

Put a big block solenoid on your current starter.

When you pull the old solenoid off cut a full coil off of the return spring that
pushes against the bendix.This will allow the starter to spin up easier.

Next thing is to run a wire from the 12 volt batter cable into your trucks interior.You also need a second wire going to the solenoids start terminal.
They sell these at most auto parts stores as remote start switches used when one person is working under the hood and needs to spin the engine.

I'm cheap so two wires gets it done.

If all this fails you can have a rebuild shop upgrade the guts on your current starter with cadillac guts which are way beefier.

If that fails a Tilton starter is in your future.The housing rotates for header clearance or oil pan issues.
The only thing about the Tilton starter is getting used to how they work.When you hold the key in the start position the engine spins up but doesn't start.When you let go of the key it starts.
Not a big issue just different.

[Tx Firefighter]

Factory replacement starter for 1998 Tahoe with a 350. They're tiny, gear reduction, and spin your engine like nothing else. And you can buy them at any parts store (or Rockauto)

[LynnJr]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-10-11-...8f84f5&vxp=mtr

E-Bay has tons of gear reduction starters.

[Squareforceone]

yeah i have one on watch like that but wanted to get advice first if that's not going to fix my problem then i don't want to buy it yet

[LynnJr]

The gear reduction starters will turn over a blown 496 like butter.My motor has a magneto so the extra speed of a gear reduction starter is a big help.

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Factory replacement starter for 1998 Tahoe with a 350. They're tiny, gear reduction, and spin your engine like nothing else. And you can buy them at any parts store (or Rockauto)

Same as the one I mentioned.
Always asked for a 98 2500 with a 7.4L

[Jeepwm69]

That fit a 305? My 83 is doing the same thing, figure I just need a new starter, but if there's an upgrade out there for not a ton of $$$, MAW, right?

[piecesparts]

I use the Powermaster magnetic starters and they mount easily and also are small enough to keep the heat soak issues down. If I use a factory starter, then I add a heatshield to keep the heat from the headers off of the starter.